Curcumin For Ostearthritis

Curcumin for Osteoarthritis

Image of Tumeric root and powder

Curcumin is a Ayurvedic herb that comes from the herb tumeric and has been used in India for centuries. A study published in the journal Alternative Medicine Review included 100 patients with osterarthritis.

The new study compared the effects of NSAIDs with NSAIDs plus the Meriva supplement – composed of 20 percent natural curcuminoid mixture, 40 percent phosphatidylcholine, and 40 percent microcrystalline cellulose. Subjects in the active group received a daily dose of 1,000 mg, which provided a daily curcumin dose of 200 mg. The control group received “best available treatment NSAID’s”.

Researchers followed the participants for eight months and found changes in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) score, used to measure the osteoarthritis variables, decreased from 80.6 to 33.2 in patients receiving NSAIDs plus the curcumin supplement. Researchers also reported that WOMAC scores for pain decreased by 9.3 points, while no change was observed in the control group. Stiffness decreased from 7.4 to 3.2, with no significant changes in the control group.

According to Indena, the combining the soy phosphatidylcholine with curcumin works to boost the bioavailability of the spice. Blending curcumin with soy phosphatidylcholine allows it to, “interact via hydrogen bondings and polar interactions with the complementary group, like the polar heads of phospholipids”, says Indena.

These findings suggest that curcumin may be a beneficial long-term therapy approach for people suffering with osteoarthritis.

 

Source: Alternative Medicine Review
Volume 15, Number 4, Pages 337-344
“Efficacy and Safety of Meriva, a Curcumin-phosphatidylcholine Complex, during Extended Administration in Osteoarthritis Patients”
Authors: G. Belcaro; M.R. Cesarone; M. Dugall; L. Pellegrini; A. Ledda; M.G. Grossi; S. Togni; G. Appendino

Abnormal Levels of Hyaluronic Acid Linked to Connective Tissue Disorders

Hyaluronic acid (also called Hyaluronan) is a component of connective tissue whose function is to cushion and lubricate.  Hyaluronan occurs throughout the body in abundant amounts in many of the places people with hereditary connective tissue disorders have problems such as joints, heart valves and eyes.  Hyaluronic acid abnormalities are a common thread in connective tissue disorders.  Interestingly, they are also common biochemical anomalies in most of the individual features of connective tissue disorders such as mitral valve prolapse, TMJ, osteoarthritis, and keratoconus.

Hyaluronic acid has been nicknamed by the press as the “key to the fountain of youth” because it has been noted that at least some people who ingest a lot of it in their diets tend to live to ripe old ages. ABC News had a show on a village in Japan and hyaluronic acid entitled, “The Village of Long Life: Could Hyaluronic Acid Be an Anti-Aging Remedy?”. (It should be noted that the people in the ABC news show were thought to get high amounts of  Hyaluronic acid from starchy root vegetables their natural diets. They were not taking supplements.)

While a number of studies have linked abnormal levels of  Hyaluronic acid to either connective tissue disorders (CTDs) or conditions common in CTDs, such as premature aging, there are also a number of studies on Pubmed noting associations of high levels of  Hyaluronic acid to some forms of cancer. With Hyaluronic acid as with other substances in the human body, such as estrogen and cholesterol, there are most likely optimal levels, and disease often occurs when these levels become out of range in either direction. Low estrogen levels have been linked to bone loss, while high estrogen levels have been associated with breast cancer. High cholesterol levels have been linked to heart attacks and stroke, while low levels have been linked to bleeding problems and depression.  Hyaluronic acid has been studied less than either cholesterol or estrogen, but the prudent path would be to assume that the body has optimal levels of Hyaluronic acid, as it does for cholesterol, estrogen and many other substances.

As such, it is always prudent to consult your doctor before you decide to take Hyaluronic acid or any other type of supplement to make sure it is an appropriate treatment for your particular health condition.

Click here for more information on Hyaluronic acid or to Purchase Hyaluronic acid today!

Deal of the Day: Glucosamine & Chondroitin

Glucosamine & Chondroitin
240 Caps
from Colorado Nutrition
(Retail: $49.95)
Our Price: $12.76

Both Glucosamine and Chondroitin occur naturally in the body and act as building blocks for the functioning of healthy cartilage. Glucosamine and Chondroitin have been studied and have been found to be critical nutrients that assist in supporting flexibility, comfort and range of motion.

Glucosamine:
Glucosamine is one of the major components involved with the formation of cartilage (critical lubricants and shock absorbers necessary to maintain and restore healthy joint performance). Glucosamine facilitates the renewal of cartilage and helps keep cartilage lubricated to maintain its naturally slippery texture. These mechanisms of action improve the structure of joints.

Chondroitin:
Chondroitin supports existing cartilage by promoting the quality of the synovial fluid – it attracts fluid to act as a spongy shock absorber for the joints. It works together with Glucosamine to promote the healthy flow of water and nutrients into cartilage producing cells.

When taken together, Glucosamine and Chondroitin work naturally with your body to promote healthy, flexible joints. This process of revitalizing healthy joints takes time and depends on your specific individual nutritional requirements. With daily continued use, you should look forward to experiencing the benefits of taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin.

DEAL OF THE WEEK: Glucosamine & Chondroitin

** Offer good until midnight on August 4, 2009